Cricket

Chris Guest, the former head coach of The Blaze, has been appointed as England Women's U19 Performance Lead. Guest, 40, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously led Loughborough Lightning and The Blaze to success in domestic competitions. He has also coached the England Women U19 World Cup program and the U19 tri-series between Sri Lanka, England, and Australia.In his new role, Guest will oversee the U19 Women's T20 World Cup in Malaysia next year and lead talent identification from the academy and senior programs. He will work closely with the counties to enhance the support provided to young players at this age group.Guest's appointment is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) commitment to developing the women's game. The ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup provides a valuable opportunity for young talent to gain international experience. Guest's role will be to ensure that players receive the necessary support and guidance to maximize their potential.Guest is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the development of England's future stars. "The pride and excitement of wearing the Three Lions over the last few years has been immense, and to be able to do so in this new role is an incredible feeling," he said. "With the growth of the women's game, it's a privilege to take on this role as it will focus on ensuring our young cricketers get the cricket they need at the right time, which I am extremely passionate about."Richard Bedbrook, the head of England Women Performance Pathways, believes Guest is the ideal person for the role. "We are delighted to have Chris on board," he said. "He has vast experience in the women's game, strong relationships with and knowledge of all our domestic teams, and this new full-time role will allow him to help shape the development of our highest potential players in a collaborative fashion before, during, and after any international U19 activity."Director of England Women's Cricket, Jonathan Finch, added: "The ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup provides fantastic opportunities for our young talent to experience tournament match play against their peers from other countries. Chris's appointment allows us to build on those experiences, through closer relationships with the counties, to enhance the support the players get at this age group."